Blog


The GnarMule takes on the Grand
Running Lava Falls was a great final test for both my paddling skills and how Alpacka’s new GnarMule handles massive whitewater. At least that's how I rationalized doing it last November.

Back on the Water - Part Three
As I approached my boat after completing a scout of the class III rapid, I did a quick assessment of my current mental state. I was dysregulated and feeling quite anxious. In fact, my rational brain knew that the level of fear and anxiety I felt far outmatched the current situation ... Read more in the second article in a three-part series about how to recover our “mental” edge after a scary swiftwater incident.

I was shaking like a leaf. I raised my hand in front of my face and tried to hold it level, but the shaking only increased. With the rapid roaring in the background, I looked around at my friends on the river bank, securing spray skirts and reattaching throw bags. No one else seemed to be affected... Read more in the second article in a three-part series about how to recover our “mental” edge after a scary swiftwater incident.

This is the first article in a three-part series about how to recover our mental edge after a scary swiftwater incident - the repercussions of which are referred to in the wilderness first responder community as “stress injury”.

A First-Timer's Bikerafting Trip on the Lower Deschutes River
Chris and Rob grabbed their Caribou packrafts and headed out on the Lower Deschutes for their first bikerafting trip. Chris made a great film showcasing the trip. "It was fun, humbling, hot and an absolute blast," Chris commented. They also fished along the way.

I’ve been running class III/IV in a whitewater-outfitted open canoe for more than three decades. I bought that first Alpacka, a Denali Llama, primarily for tripping on easy rivers. I eventually moved into whitewater--but deep down, I knew that a middle-aged recreational paddler couldn’t do the same things in a packraft that I was doing in my hard boat.
Bikerafting Iceland's South Coast with Chris Burkard, Steve "Doom" Fassbinder, and Cameron Lawson
Bikerafting Iceland's South Coast with Chris Burkard and Steve "Doom" Fassbinder

An overnight bikerafting loop just outside of Moab, UT.
Bikerafting, Adventure StoriesEszter and her crew grabbed their bikes and packrafts and headed out on an overnight bikerafting adventure just outside of Moab.

2022 Dogs of Packrafting Photo Contest
Dogs of Packrafting, Photo Gallery, News, Events, ReviewsThe #DogsOfPackrafting (And Cats Too!) Photo Contest finalists have been announced. Now it's up to the public to vote for the winners.

"Sheri" Film World Premier at Mountainfilm
Sheri Tingey attended Mountainfilm not knowing there was a documentary film about her life. Watch her reaction and find out more about the premeire of Sheri at Mountainfilm.


T-Shirt Design Contest Winners
News, Events, ReviewsThe Winner of the Alpacka Raft 20th Anniversary T-Shirt Design Contest has been awarded.


Refuge, Scout and Ghost Overview with Thor Tingey
Meet the new Refuge, Scout and Ghost as Alpacka Founder, Thor Tingey, walks us through them.


Looking back on 2021 to move forward safely in 2022. Wins and losses in packrafting.